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About this project

Most people with pets find themselves away from their furry companions while living hectic lives. PetBot is a unique technology that allows you to interact with your pet while at work, in meetings, making overtime, commuting, or having an after-work drink. With PetBot you can feed, reward, and connect with your pet anywhere and anytime.

Some see pets as a person’s best friend, and PetBot wants to help you become an even better best friend.

PetBot evolved out of the common worry that owners have over the welfare of their pet while away from home. After over fifty prototypes, in which we experimented with various materials and technologies, we at the PetBot team have a creation ready to be shared. We believe that PetBot is the best product currently available for remote pet-human relations, and with your kickstarter support, we will improve the design even further, source more affordable parts in bulk, and develop our advanced software to allow your pet to seamlessly interact with PetBot. There is nothing more powerful than the connection a pet has with their owner, and we want to help you connect with yours.

Features

Customized For You and Your Treats

Pets love their treats. PetBot is tailored with two custom-sized cartridges, one for larger treats and one for small treats, built specifically for your pet, depending on their favourite treat sizes. This lets you give your pet what it wants, rather than forcing you to buy a specific brand or type of treat. We encourage tailoring PetBot to your pet’s specifications since we are able to affordably, at no additional cost, 3D print the cartridges. Mixing treat sizes within a single cartridge is not currently supported, since each cartridge is tailored to a single treat size.

Below, we have a list of treats we tested and have ready-made cartridges for. Since we pride ourselves on tailoring the PetBot to your pet’s needs, if the brand or treat you use is not listed then let us know the brand and size, or mail us a sample, and we will customize the cartridge(s) to your requirements free of charge. That said, the maximum dimensions for a treat that each cartridge can dispense are: 8.2x4.2x4cm and approximately 2x2x2cm.

Contact information for inquiries and mailing us samples: treats@petbot.ca

Sharing PetBot: Open-Source

We want everyone to have a PetBot, and for it to be the best device for interacting with your pets. After many discussions towards this goal, we decided to make PetBot freely available to anyone willing to make it for their own personal use. Everything, including the detailed hardware designs, software source code, assembly instructions, and 3D printing schematics will be available to anyone. As a result, in addition to finished models, we will sell PetBot kits that can be easily shipped and assembled anywhere in the world. Most businesses thrive on keeping their developments secret, but we believe in a transparent approach.

Fully 3D printed PetBot prototypes (June 2013).

Research,
or What We’ve Learned

We don’t want to restrict the places where
you have your PetBot. Pets come in all shapes, sizes and attitudes, and you
know your pet best. The device just needs to be plugged in, and placed on a
surface, or mounted to a wall. For your pet’s safety, if they like to lick,
chew, paw, claw, nibble, scratch, gnaw, chomp, bite, tear, scrabble, or maul
things that pique their curiosity, we recommend placing PetBot out of your pet’s
reach in order not to tease them with treats.

Though it is a feature that comes with
PetBot, and something people love to have, our extensive research shows that
remote two-way audio is not the best way to interact with your pet.
Additionally, we have learned that pets are unable to hold a conversation, and
owners may have difficulty finding a private place from which they can properly
converse with their pet (for example at work, saying, “Where is Buddy!”, or “Come
here, Benji!”). From our testing, we have found that a pre-recorded sound clip
is the most effective way to summon your furry friend. Consequently, you can
upload or pre-record any audio clips, and have an almost unlimited array of
choices in interacting with your pet.

Rewards

Shipping:

No shipping costs within
Canada.

20$ shipping charge to rest of
North America.

How
Can I Help?

There are many ways that you can get
involved: whether it’s by making a pledge, spreading the word to help us build
awareness, or joining our open-source development community, we would love your
support!

Who we are

Risks and challenges

Our campaign’s most ambitious goal is to ship 50 PetBot units to their destination before Christmas. For this to happen we need to create 50 new units (one week), make final tweaks to our software (two weeks), and include a 10 business day shipping time window. We plan to start creating the 50 units during the first week of November, regardless of the number of orders we receive. This way we will be ready to ship when you support us!

To read more about our team, please feel free to google, email, or contact us in any way you like!

FAQ

Yes. We have the basic clients for all operating systems ready. Two way audio is currently supported in iOS and Android only. We are working to widen support for this feature for December or VIA software update in the new year.

No, our flagship PetBot is made from steel. Your pet will probably not be able to damage PetBot. We recommend in any case that you keep PetBot outside of the pets easy reach. This is done to avoid teasing your pet by treats within easy reach, and to avoid your pet from trying to steal a treat :) PetBot is wall mountable, and the camera does move up and down.

Yes, and no. We will give you all of our designs and source code for free. You will still need to buy, make and assemble the PetBot. Help will be found on our support page and forums. If you do not have the equipment to cut and print your own parts, we do and will continue to offer kits from which you can assemble a wood or acrylic PetBot.

No. We have incorporated simple diet calculations based on given pet parameters to prevent over-feeding. This being said, you can always feed your pet, but you will have to click through a warning if you would like to feed more then we suggest based on the information provided.

Yes. We designed PetBot to use a standard 5v x 2.5mm barrel connector. This means that the only thing you need to get PetBot working in the country you are in, is get a local power adapter. If you order a PetBot from us, we will ship you this adapter along with your PetBot.

Pledge $5 or more

Pledge $15 or more

12 backers

PETBOT PROJECT COLLABORATOR - Early access to all the open-source components of the PetBot design and software for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. This includes our code and CAD schematic drawings. All you need is a 3D printer (and/or laser cutter), three servos and a Raspberry Pi!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

10 backers

PETBOT SWAGSTER - All the access of the previous packages, plus a swag pack consisting of a PetBot branded t-shirt, coffee mug or water bottle, and a tote bag.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

49 backers
Limited (1 left of 50)

PETBOT PROUD - To our early-bird backers at this level, receive our flagship Steel PetBot at our special early-bird price. Delivered in time for Christmas!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $160 or more

4 backers

PETBOT ASSEMBLY REQUIRED - Do-it-yourself enthusiasts, get your own PetBot kit! Everything you need to make your own PetBot. Choose from local birch plywood, or acrylic. We will send you the laser cut panels, 3D printed parts and electronics you need to assemble your own PetBot!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

3 backers

PETBOT STEEL - Receive our flagship steel PetBot. We will try to ship in time for Christmas, but cannot guarantee delivery.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $320 or more

1 backer

PETBOT MAGNUM - Receive our special edition stainless steel PetBot. As well, you will find all the PetBot swag you need! Every unit is optionally engraved with the text of your choice!

Estimated delivery:Jan 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (20 left of 20)

PETBOT LAUNCH - Come join the PetBot founders for a special launch dinner. Meet with the team and discuss the project—we'd love to hear your ideas! (Event will be held in Toronto, Ontario. Event details will be shared with pledgers after the fundraising period is complete. Flight not included).

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

PETBOT ESTEEMED CONTRIBUTOR - The PetBot team will meet you anywhere in Canada/USA for a private dinner meeting. Dog treats will not be on the menu.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

Funding period

Oct 30, 2013 - Nov 29, 2013
(30 days)

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